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table, the seven-branched candlestick, and the book of the law from the temple of Jerusalem, were conspicuous.

The triumph passed on to the Capitol, and there paused to hear that the glory of Rome was completed by the insulting and cruel execution of the bravest general of the enemy. This distinction fell to the lot of Simon the son of Gioras. He was dragged along to a place near the Forum, with a halter round his neck, scourged as he went, and there put to death.

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REAT deeds abound in the history of Greece; but among all her remarkable men, none seems to have encountered more extraordinary vicissitudes than Aristomenes, who so long, by his indomitable courage and perseverance, enabled his countrymen to resist the assaults of the Lacedæmonians. I have selected from Mitford some of his most striking adventures. In reading them we cannot but regret that such glorious deeds should have proved insufficient to save his coun

try from ruin, and his compatriots from either flying into exile or permanently becoming the Helots (bond-slaves) of their cruel enemies. His career commenced after his countrymen had once submitted to the Lacedæmonians.

During near forty years, says Mitford, Messenia remained in quiet subjection. Those of its unfortunate people who submitted to the Lacedæmonian terms, chose the least among evils presenting themselves, and rested under their hard lot. But the succeeding generation, unexperienced in the calamities of war, unexperienced in the comparative strength of themselves and their conquerors, yet instigated by a share of that irresistible spirit of independency which at this time so remarkably pervaded Greece, and buoyed up by that hope of fortunate contingencies so natural, in ad versity, to generous minds, could not brook the comparison of their own circumstances with those of all other Greeks. Their subjection was indeed too severe, and too humiliating, to be by any possibility borne with satisfaction, yet not sufficiently depressing to ensure the continuance of quiet submission. A leader, therefore, only was wanting of reputation to attract and concentrate the materials of the rising storm, and it would burst with energy. Such a leader appeared in Aristomenes, a youth whose high natural spirit was still elevated by the opinion of his descent from Hercules through a long race of Messenian kings. When, therefore, others were proposing a revolt, Aristomenes was foremost to act in it. Persons were sent privately to the former allies of the state, the Argians and the Arcadians, to inquire what assistance might be expected from them. Very favourable promises being received, Aristomenes and his party immediately attacked a body of Lacedæmonians at Deræ. A very obstinate action ensued, which terminated without victory to either party: yet the Messenians were so satisfied with the behaviour of Aristomenes, that they would have raised him to the throne.* He prudently refused that invi

* Olvm. xliii. 2. B. C. 607. N. Olym. xxiii. 3. B. C. 685. B

dious honour, but accepted the office of commander-in-chief of the forces.

The first adventure related of this hero after his elevation sounds romantic; but the age was romantic, and his situation required no common conduct. Aristomenes well knew the power of superstitious fear among his cotemporaries, and he formed a project to serve his country through its operation. There was at Sparta a temple called the brazen house, dedicated to Minerva, and held in singular veneration. Aristomenes entered that city alone by night, which was not difficult, as there were neither walls nor watch, and the less dangerous as no Grecian towns were lighted; and the Lacedæmonian institutions forbade to carry lights. Secure, therefore, in obscurity, he suspended against the brazen house a shield, with an inscription declaring that Aristomenes, from the spoils of Sparta, dedicated that shield to the goddess. Nothing the early Greeks dreaded more, than that their enemies should win from them the favour of a deity under whose peculiar protection they imagined their state to have been placed by the piety of their forefathers. The Lacedæmonians were so alarmed, that they sent to inquire of the Delphian oracle what was to be done. The answer of the Pythoness was well considered for the safety of the oracle's reputation, but rather embarrassing to the Lacedæmonians : it directed them to take an Athenian for their counsellor.

An embassy was accordingly sent to Athens. But here, too, some embarrassment arose: for the Athenians, far from desirous that the finest province of Peloponnesus should become for ever annexed to the dominion of Sparta, dared not yet directly oppose the oracle. They took, therefore, a middle way; and in obeying, hoped to make their obedience useless. They sent a man named Tyrtæus, who, among the lowest of the people, had exercised the profession of a schoolmaster; little known of course, but supposed of no abilities. for any purpose of the Lacedæmonians, and lame of one leg.

There is something in these circumstances so little consonant to modern history, that they are apt, at first view, to bear

an appearance both of fable and of insignificancy. But they come so far authenticated to us, that it is impossible not to give them some credit. It was partly from the admired works of Tyrtæus himself, fragments of which remain to us, that historians afterward collected their account of the Messenian affairs; and it is still common, we know, for circumstances in themselves the most trifling to have consequences the most important.

The Messenian army was now reinforced by Argian, Arcadian, Sicyonian, and Eleian auxiliaries; and Messenian refugees, from various foreign parts, came in with eager zeal to attach themselves once more to the fortune of their former country. These combined forces met the Lacedæmonian army, which had received succour from Corinth only, at Caprusema. The exertions of Aristomenes in the battle which ensued, are said to have exceeded all belief of what one man could do. A complete victory was gained by the Messenians, with so terrible a slaughter of the Lacedæmonians, that it was in consequence debated at Sparta whether a negotiation for peace should not immediately be opened. On this occasion great effects are attributed to the poetry of Tyrtæus, and probably not without foundation. We know that even in these cultivated times, and in the extensive states of modern Europe, a popular song can sometimes pro duce considerable consequences. Then, it was a species of oratory suited beyond all other to the genius of the age Tyrtæus reanimated the drooping minds of the Spartan people. It was thought expedient to recruit the number of citizens by enfranchising and associating some Helots. The measure was far from popular, but the poetry of Tyrtæus persuaded the people to acquiesce; and it was determined still to prosecute the war with all possible vigour.

Aristomenes meanwhile was endeavouring to push the advantage he had gained. He did not venture a regular invasion of Laconia, but he carried the war thither by incursion. He surprised the town of Pharæ, bore away a considerable booty, and routed Anaxander, king of Sparta, who had

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